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Category Archives: Sacraments
Do Children Have to Make Their First Communion at Their Own Parish?
Q1: My youngest daughter is ready for first communion. She has attended the catechism classes, she has done all the required steps. Our priest is also a friend and knows that very well. He has given communion to our five older children. Yet, … Continue reading
Posted in Parish Life, Rights of the Faithful, Sacraments, The Eucharist
Tagged canon law, Catholic, First Communion, First Holy Communion, first penance, parish
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Repost: Is Confession Still an Easter Duty?
(This was written some time ago, but since it has become incredibly popular during the Lenten season, it seems worthwhile to bring it to readers’ attention once again. Note that declarations of a “pandemic” do not eliminate the clergy’s responsibility … Continue reading
Posted in Confession, Parish Life, Sacraments
Tagged canon law, Catholic, confession, Easter duty, holy communion, penance, sacrament
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Why Would a Bishop Refuse to Ordain a Seminarian?
Q: I was a seminarian for nearly five years, and in fifth year I was suddenly and unexpectedly dismissed as a seminarian by the bishop. He gave me three reasons for the dismissal, each of which I protested. For example, … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Holy Orders, Sacraments
Tagged canon law, Catholic, ordain, ordination, priest, priesthood, seminarian, seminary
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Re-post: Confession and General Absolution
(For years, readers have returned to this article again and again in the weeks just before Christmas, which would indicate that the problem it addresses still persists. And now that the Catholic faith and the Church’s sacramental life are being … Continue reading
Posted in Confession, Parish Life, Sacraments
Tagged canon law, Catholic, confession, general absolution, valid
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The Virus and the Bishops: Twisting a Vatican Document to Further an Agenda
Q: The priests of our parish have been [illegally refusing us the sacraments], so we wrote respectfully to our Bishop. We quoted some canons which you discussed in your articles. The Bishop replied to our letter and defended the priests. … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Rights of the Faithful, Sacraments
Tagged bishops, canon law, Catholic, episcopal conference, GIRM, Mass, sacraments
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